The Avi Loeb physique proposes (once again) an extreme hypothesis: 3i/Atlas may not be natural. A theoretical exercise that raises more questions than answers.
The third interstellar object never observedcalled 3i/Atlas (discovered a few weeks ago), attracted the attention of the scientific community for his anomalous features. Retrograde orbit almost aligned with ecliptic, unusual dimensions (about 20 km in diameter), no trace of comets, and an extraordinarily close passage to Mars, Venus and Jupiter (in order, See trajectory below): all this makes 3i/Atlas a celestial visitor out of the ordinary.
An unlikely hypothesis, but worthy of attention
To lift a provocative hypothesis is Avi Loebtheoretical physicist and former president of the Harvard Astronomy Department, today head of the Galileo Projectwhich scientificly investigates the possible technological nature of anomalous objects. In a recent documentary document with Adam Hibberd and Adam CrowlLoeb explores the idea that 3i/Atlas may be an artificial probepotentially sent by an extraterrestrial civilization.
Because it must still be taken seriously
Loeb is not a marginal scientist. Was part of the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. He does not say that 3i/Atlas is certainly alien, but believes that It is worth exploring the hypothesisprecisely because – if it were true – the implications for humanity would be existential.
The scientific community is divided
The reaction of the scientific world was, predictably, mixed. Some colleagues accuse Loeb of sensationalismremembering the previous one with Oumuamua. Others, as some experts show, recognize that it is at least one “pedagogical exercise” useful for developing Tools and protocols In view of the many interstellar objects that the Vera Rubin telescope will discover in the next decade.
Science fiction? Perhaps. But with a scientific method
Loeb’s reference to “Dark Forest Hypothesis” – the idea that alien civilization avoid getting noticed for fear of being destroyed – is taken by the science fiction narrative, but serves to stimulate critical thinking. The extraterrestrial hypothesis, however unlikely, cannot be excluded a prioriprecisely because – as Loeb writes – Ignoring the technological option is not a sign of intelligence.
